Page 110 of Something Rad
I knew. I definitely knew right in that moment where I was going to have to take her. It still didn’t make it any easier. I’m not sure my father and brother could’ve made me feel any smaller while we were at the optometry office. I’m used to that at home, but Cooper having to see me in that state, truly having to experience my family dynamic, was not something I was ever anticipating. No one sees that side of my life, and that’s definitely on purpose.
Regardless, I guess I have to say it was worth it. Cooper’s eye is totally back to normal today, or so she says. I swear she keeps squinting it.
I shake my head, sliding my headphones off my ears and telling myself to let it go. I don’t even know why I’m so worked up over the whole thing.
“You kids go ahead and get out of here,” Ms. Rose’s voice sounds behind me, making me turn away from the shelf I’ve been organizing to look at her.
I glance over at the clock, seeing that it’s only 4:30 p.m.
“Are you sure, Ms. Rose?” Cooper asks. “We still have a half hour.”
I chuckle under my breath, rolling my eyes. Cooper doesn’thaveany hours. She has zero obligation to be here, yet she feels bad leaving early. I don’t know why anything from her surprises me anymore.
“Absolutely, Sara,” Ms. Rose says. “It’s Friday. Go soak up some sunshine and enjoy your weekend. I’m certainly going to.”
“Okay then,” Cooper smiles at her. “If you insist.”
“I do,” Ms. Rose nods, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Have a great evening. I’ll see you kids on Monday.” She takes a few steps towards the door before she pauses, spinning back around. “Oh, well, actually,” she says, “I suppose I’ll just see youkidon Monday.” She looks pointedly at Cooper, making her brows raise. “Today’s Robbie’s last day of detention.”
My and Cooper’s lips both part at the same time.
Shit, is it really?, I think, but instead, I nod and say, “That’s right.”
“Oh,” Cooper says, looking over at me with an unreadable expression on her face.
“Well, thank you for all you’ve done, Robbie. It’s been great getting to know you,” Ms. Rose says. “I’m not one to listen to rumors anyways, but it turns out you’re actually a very decent young man. It’s been a pleasure having you in my library this last month.”
A genuine smile pulls at my lips. “Thanks, Ms. Rose. It’s actually been a lot of fun.”
Ms. Rose flashes us a final grin and waves as she walks out. When I turn back around, I find Cooper back hard at work, flipping through a stack of books with her head down. I scoff out a laugh, walking over to her. “Cooper, would you give it a rest? She said we can go.”
“I just want to get to a stopping place,” she says, not looking at me as she spins around to slide a book onto the shelf behind her. When she turns back to her stack of books, I lean up against the bookshelf. As she spins back around with another book, I stick my hand in the open spot on the shelf she’s moving to place it in, stopping the book in its tracks.
“Would you look at that?” I say. “A stopping place. You’re welcome.”
She rolls her eyes at me, dropping the book back onto the stack. “Gee, thanks so much,” she deadpans. “What will I ever do without you now?” She gets behind the cart, rolling it back behind the library counter.
“Oh, come on, Cooper, admit it,” I say, following after her.
She parks the cart and heads into Ms. Rose’s office. “And what am I admitting?” she asks.
I walk in behind her, plopping down on top of Ms. Rose’s desk as Cooper starts to gather her things. “That you’re gonna miss me so much.”
She pauses as she’s unzipping her backpack, looking up at me. She stares at me for a moment before she chuckles. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Do you have any idea how much money I’m going to save on Tylenol and Jolt Cola now?”
“You and I both know you’d drink the Jolt regardless,” I tell her. “And besides, Cooper, I think you secretly enjoy me wearing you out.”
It’s not until she raises her brows at me that I really think about what I just said. I don’t address it though, my tongue pushing into the side of my cheek as I hold back a smirk.
Cooper narrows her eyes at me. “I get plenty worn out without needing any extra help from you,” she says, then starts shuffling around the contents of her backpack, looking for something.
My mind is clearly in the absolute gutter at the moment, because a vague image flashes through my head of Cooper…wearing herself out.
I blink hard, pushing it away.
Get a grip, Summers.
“Maybe so,” I say. “But, you know, it’s okay to want things you don’t need. Some would say it’s even good for you once in awhile.”
